Holly M McCracken

1947 - 2022
Holly Eve McCracken passed away peacefully on January 28, 2022 in her home after a long battle with cancer. She was 74. Holly was born in San Francisco, California on July 31, 1947 to Gilbert Charles Mershon and Rosemarie (Pat) Patroni.



Growing up in Los Angeles, Holly started working as a professional child singer at age seven in The Jimmy Joyce Children's Choir, recording songs including High Hopes with Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee's Christmas Album and the soundtrack to Bye Bye Birdie.



A champion swimmer, as a teenager she toured in a precision water ballet company, The Miami Aqua Maids. Shortly after graduating Ulysses S Grant High School in 1965, Holly became a founding member of the vocal group "The Doodletown Pipers," performing on The Smothers Brothers, The Ed Sullivan Show, and more alongside The Muppets, George Burns, and other stars. Holly treasured memories of her duets with Rowlf the Dog on CBS' Our Place.



After leaving The Doodletown Pipers, Holly worked as an actor, singer, and clown. She performed on Captain Kangaroo, sang for The Lucy Show, and starred in the 1976 film "Angry Joe Bass." In the 1980's she toured as a soloist with the Teramusa Hino Band throughout Japan.



A founding member of the all female clown trio "Those in the Nose," Holly performed on NY stages and international festivals including Camy Hall, Manhattan Class Company, and the International Women's Clown Festival in Andorra. She believed one "needed to unplug and practice the art of the belly laugh". Her clowns LaLa and Ammonia and her signature clown piece "At the Opera", developed at Michael Howard studios, and workshops including Phillippe Gaulier and Ami Hattab, provided us joy in the foibles of daily living. She was instrumental in the rise of female theatrical clowning in the 1990's and continued to be an integral part of the clown community throughout later life, supporting others, organizing weekly workouts, and teaching.



In later years, Holly continued to share her love of choir singing with the Oratorio Society of New York. She was a beloved member of the Soprano section for 20 years. Holly was also a folk and classical guitar and ukulele player, avid golfer, scuba diver and dancer. She was deeply committed to her faith in God as a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church.



Holly is survived by her step-sons, Scot McCracken and Marc Langanus; step-daughters, Jodi McCracken Capitanelli and Kimberly Hope; step-grandchildren Victoria Capitanelli, John Capitanelli, and Spencer Hope; nephews Beau Mershon and Shane Mershon; nieces Villa Piazza and Theresa Mershon; and many loving relatives and friends. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 43 years Hugh McCracken and her brothers Gilbert Mershon and Norman Mershon. A Memorial service will be planned for Spring 2022.



In remembrance of Holly, donations can be made to The Visiting Nurses of New York Palliative and Hospice Care or Redeemer Presybyterian Church in NYC.